The point spread is the most popular type of betting in sports. One of the lessons on how to be a bookmaker is formulating point spread. Although the sportsbook pay per head software can do it automatically, you should know how it comes up with the number.
Most people assume that the point spread is made so that both outcomes are equal to the relative strength of the teams. However, it is not entirely true. In most cases, a handicapper creates the point spread to attract the same wagering on both sides.
As a bookie, you want players to bet on both teams equally. That’s how you’ll make more money. If there’s equal action on both sides, your sportsbook has no risk of losing. Although you might not get a substantial profit for each game, it will add up over time.
Formulating Point Spread
A result-based spread is not always the best option for sportsbooks, according to bookie pay per head experts. The betting public is not rational all the time. Some people bet on specific teams than others. Even if the team is not winning, they treat it as if it is the favorite to win the match.
Teams that attract an irrational number of bets are public teams. You’ll find them in every professional sports league. Usually, they are high profile teams with a large fan base. Also, they have a history of winning. In the NFL, public teams are the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and the Dallas Cowboys. You can use player management tools to find out which teams players are betting for the most in your sportsbook.
If you list public teams at accurate odds, you will more likely lose a lot of money because players will bet on them more than their opponents. Thus, you make public teams bigger favorites to level both sides of the line.
There are instances in which you need to take a position on a team or game. There’s no cookie-cutter process on how to approach it. When you take a position, you set the point spread so that you’ll need a specific result to come out in the black. Thus, your spread might be different from other sportsbooks.
